Blog Archives - Greenwald and Gerke Real Estate

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When you visit your Doctor, do you have the medical knowledge and “nerve” to question the Doctor’s orders? Does your loved one that takes you to the Doctor have that valuable medical insight? The overwhelming answer we hear is… NO!

We interviewed Marguerite Parzon, RN, C-GNP (Geriatric Nurse Practitioner ), owner of Boutique Care Management located in San Diego, CA. Ms. Parzon’s firm is categorized as both an Aging Life Specialist and Geriatric Care Management Group. She offers us advice to help each of us navigate the very complex, confusing, and often exasperating healthcare system.

Putting Together a Plan

The first step is to assess the situation and understand the supportive options that are available for you as an individual. One prescription does NOT fit all! For example, an Aging Life Specialist will do an assessment to provide recommendations for the individual’s health concerns, treatments, and advocacy.

This plan includes specific dietary requirements that need to be met, medication dosages and timing, and anything else applicable to the health and well-being of the individual.

Implementation: Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Who is your advocate when visiting the doctor and/or hospital? Most families find it hard to bridge the gap between the medical world and the daily care that is provided to a patient. What are the implications of that new prescription your doctor just wrote you? How will it interact with other medications? What are the side effects? Long term implications? Is it “really” following your wishes for care?

If medication is called for, will your loved one be able to follow the dosage plan? Will they pick up the medicine from the pharmacy? A Care Manager puts a plan into action to place you and your loved one first.

An Aging Life Specialist can understand the objective of the doctor or nurse, and then help the family put action steps in place to ensure that the plan is executed at home. Every person’s situation is unique, which is why the plan should be catered to that individual. In some situations, a team can be assembled that includes health care professionals, an elder care attorney, nursing services, and more.

It is essential that your family member has the right living situation to help with the implementation of this plan. If it is time to move to a different home or community, then Greenwald &Gerke Realtors is here to help. We offer experienced real estate services for retirement: (844) 782-9674

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One of the benefits of retirement is that you have the freedom and flexibility to travel whenever your heart desires. If you are planning a trip to see the grandkids or you are heading out on a European cruise, then you need to take care of your home before you leave town.

Here are a few simple strategies to keep your home protected while you are away:

Install Automatic Lights: Indoor lights can be set on timers, to make it look like someone is home in the evenings. Outside, you might consider motion sensor lights to illuminate the driveway if someone walks up to your home.

Notify the Neighbors: Talk to your neighbors to let them know the dates that you will be gone. It can be helpful to have someone watching the house in case something goes wrong. You might consider leaving a key in case of an emergency situation.

Hold the Mail: When the mailbox is full and the newspapers are piled up on the porch, it is an announcement that you are out of town. Avoid these problems by putting a hold on your mail and newspaper service.

Leave an Itinerary: Where will you be traveling? Share a copy of your itinerary with a family member or close friend.

Avoid Social Media: It might be fun to share pictures of your vacation, but it is best to wait until after you get home. Posting travel pictures on social media will announce to the world that your home is empty.

Pay for a Security System: There are many benefits to installing a security system. Put up the security company sign to notify potential intruders that your home is protected.

If you are planning to travel a lot during retirement, then you might consider the option to move into a home that offers HOA services. You can pay a monthly fee that cares for the yard and outdoor maintenance of your property.

If you are interested in living in an HOA community, then you need to talk to our team here at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors. We will gladly help you find the right home for your retirement lifestyle: (844) 782-9674

13

You have worked hard to build assets and financial support for your retirement. It is vitally important that you work with a team of professionals that specialize in the ways to protect your financial and personal wishes.

Merrianne E. Dean, Principal of The Dean Law Group, APLC, located in San Diego, CA. is that person. By having years of cross training in being an estate and trust litigator while preparing estate plans, Merrianne has seen and heard all the war stories. Merrianne will support you in order to stay in control of your future. She talked to us about a few things that should be done to prepare for life’s events…

What’s Ahead for Your Family?

The future is now, tomorrow, one year from now, and beyond. You need to take action right now to prepare for those future events that will happen when you least expect them to occur. Consider your current home and how it will work if you need to have an in-home caregiver later in life. Look at your finances and how they will support the retirement lifestyle that you desire.

Many individuals do not take time to understand the cost of what will be and what are the options available. Do you want to leave your dreams and desires to total chance? It is beneficial to work with an estate planner who will offer advice about how a comprehensive plan can keep you in charge and protected.

Don’t Fail to Plan!

Those that fail to plan, leave their loved ones to fight it out in court. For example, if an individual didn’t put together an estate plan, then it is possible that the court proceedings might be necessary to establish a conservatorship. This process is in full view of the court and is made public for all to view. Conservatorship grants legal authority to a person who can take care of someone who has lost the ability to care for themselves. This legal authority can include the authority to pay the bills, handle decisions about the estate, and make medical decisions.

A preferred solution is to setup an effective estate plan so that these legal proceedings are not necessary. If you don’t plan for the future and the family needs to establish a conservatorship, then they will accrue thousands of dollars in litigation costs . Family members often have differing opinions about how things should be handled, which results in years of legal fees and acrimony.

The best way to avoid these problems is to work with an estate planner. You can put together a plan that handles the details in advance. If you need support for real estate transactions or moving to a new home, then our team at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors. Call us for more information: (844) 782-9674

06

Minimalism is a growing trend among people of all ages. Even though our society prides itself on the accumulation of personal belongings, individuals aren’t finding the happiness that they desire. It is common for people to be weighed down by consumerism, distractions, clutter, possessions and debt.

Do you love the idea of simplifying your life by reducing the clutter in and around your home? Many people who focus on minimalism find a deeper sense of satisfaction in their daily living.

What is Minimalism?

This term can cover a broad range of goals and beliefs. For some people, minimalism is a dedicated effort to cut out excess items in their home. These efforts are often focused around reducing clutter and getting rid of unused items.

Other people take minimalism to an extreme level by drastically reducing their belongings. For example, they might have a limit to the number of clothing items that are owned. So, buying a new shirt means that another shirt is donated or discarded.

Is Minimalism Right for You?

Retirement is a time to enjoy life to the fullest. Which means that many people don’t want to be burdened by a house full of stuff. Not only do people often reduce their personal belongings, but they also find it beneficial to “rightsize” their home.

Living with fewer possessions and a smaller home creates space for the things that are important in your life. Too many possessions can be an anchor that ties us down, making it difficult to enjoy life in the best way possible. On the other hand, minimalism can be a great way to give you more peace of mind and freedom in your lifestyle.

Just because you want to simplify your life, doesn’t mean that you need to get rid of everything that you own and live in a tiny house. Instead, be deliberate about choosing a home that matches your desired lifestyle. Focus on hobbies, travel, and health instead of buying more material possessions.

Do you need help finding the perfect home for your retirement lifestyle? Talk to us at Greenwald & Gerke Realtors. We are experts in real estate for retirement, and our team is here to help. Call us for more information about the services that are available: (844) 782-9674

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Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia? Luckily, researchers are finding new solutions that will support brain health at all ages. By applying these principles in your life, you can reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and support family members who might be at risk.

Middle Age: The Best Time to Support Activity in the Frontal Lobe

According to Beverly Sanborn, LCSW, Gerontologist and Vice President of Program Development for Belmont Village Senior Living, the prevention process should begin at least 20 – 25 years before you have a symptom. So, middle-age is the best time to start caring for your mental health by increasing activity in the frontal lobe.

Researchers have found that the best way to support and strengthen the frontal lobe is by being in a group of people. It requires organizing your thinking and describing what you are thinking to another person. Another option is to write your thoughts if you want to work on brain health when you don’t have someone else to talk to at the time.

Another exercise to increase the use of your frontal lobe is to force yourself not to use clichés. Instead of using a general term, such as “awesome,” try to find clever, interesting words to describe the things that you would like to communicate.

Whole-Brain Program for Alzheimer’s Patients

Instead of simply addressing symptoms, Beverly Sanborn has been involved in a whole-brain program that supports patients in maximizing mental health. The programs have been designed to match research, and they are constantly evolving as new information comes available. This well-rounded approach helps with not only with the brain but also with social life and overall well-being. This treatment program can be helpful for people in both the mild and moderate stages of dementia.

Here at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors, we are working hard to keep you informed about the best ways to support overall health and well-being. We know that your living situation makes a difference, and our goal is to help you find the right home for your current stage in life. Learn more about our real estate services by calling our team at (844) 782-9674

16

Spring is a great time of year to travel because the weather is starting to get warm and you can enjoy your vacation before the busy summer crowds show up. Are you itching to explore a new destination? Here are a few options for the spring season:

Caribbean

White beaches and crystal clear water are waiting, giving you a warm getaway to enjoy. The Caribbean offers many destinations with all-inclusive resorts, allowing you to show up and relax for the rest of the trip. If you don’t want to share your trip with college-aged kids, then stay away from some of the busy spring-break destinations such as Cancun.

Instead, you could consider a quiet couples-only resort further down the Mexican Riviera coastline. Or, choose an island somewhere else in the Caribbean area.

Europe

Do you enjoy historical sights and beautiful cathedrals? Then Europe is the perfect destination for you! The summer months can get busy, making it difficult to get around without fighting the crowds. So, plan your trip in the spring months before school lets out. The weather is warm enough that you can enjoy time outside without packing your heavy winter clothing.

For cheap destinations, consider Eastern Europe such as Poland or Hungary. If you want to enjoy the coastline, then you might look at destinations in Portugal or Southern Spain.

Las Vegas

If you love great food and fun entertainment, then Las Vegas can be the perfect destination. But, the summer months are too hot to enjoy any time outside! Instead, plan your Vegas vacation in the spring before the temperatures warm up.

Book a room away from the strip if you want a place to relax without fighting the crowds. You might consider a resort with highly-rated golf course and spa services.

Are you ready to “rightsize” your home so that you can enjoy more travel during retirement? Our team at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors is here to help! We provide the assistance that you need to find the best living situation to match your preferred lifestyle. Contact us to learn more about the services that are available: (844) 782-9674

09

At Greenwald & Gerke Realtors, we are always looking for solutions that can be used to maximize your lifestyle during retirement. Recently, we interviewed Justin Boogaard, who is the co-creator of “Go Go Grandparent.” The idea is designed to help mature adults who can no longer drive to be able to use their phone to access easy transportation and other services.

The great thing about this solution is that the program can be used on a flip phone instead of a smartphone, making it easier for people who don’t have access to touch-screen technology on their cell phone.

Supporting Independence for Your Family Members

As a person ages, it is important to help them maintain independence as much as possible. But, many people feel like they are losing their independence when they need to hand over the car keys. Luckily, there are now solutions that provide transportation to help a person get around the San Diego area.

What is Go Go Grandparent?

Unlike other transportation services such as Uber or Lyft, Go Go Grandparent doesn’t require the use of a smartphone app. If a person can call a phone number, then they can use the service. These services can be used from a landline or a flip phone, giving people easy access without the need to navigate the touchscreen technology of a smartphone.

On the first phone call, you will need to register with an operator. Then, on future calls, you can use the dial tone to order personal services. For example:

Press 1 for a car to be sent to your home

Press 2 for a car to be sent to where we dropped you off last

Other options include meals and groceries

Soon other services will be available, including medication delivery. The service offers an easy push-button system so that you can manage your needs without speaking to an operator.

Finding the Right Living Solution

At Greenwald & Gerke Realtors, we want to assist you in maintaining the independence that you desire. By finding the right home and using these types of services, you can avoid living in a retirement community if you don’t want to move there at this point in your life. Contact us to learn more about the best retirement living solutions to match your needs: (844) 782-9674

02

A growing percentage of the population is providing care for a family member. So, most employers will face a situation where they are making adjustments to the schedule of a caregiving employee. Whether your employee is a full-time caregiver or just offering part-time support, it is essential that you maintain open communication with that individual.

As an employer, there is a fine balance between managing work priorities and also supporting the needs of your employees. The most common problems usually stem from a lack of communication. If you are focusing on retention and employee satisfaction, then you need to make sure that you are discussing scheduling needs with your employee.

Finding a Win-Win Situation

Just because an employee needs time off to care for a family member, doesn’t mean that their performance at work has to suffer. Have an open conversation to discuss the business goals and find a way to work with the employee’s preferences as well.

For example, you might offer to have the employee take Paid Time Off in hourly increments instead of requiring a full day of PTO use. Then, the employee can choose to tap into their vacation time if they need to leave early to care for their family member. Another option is to offer a flex schedule, allowing four 10-hour shifts or a different solution to meet their needs.

Putting Together a Plan

If you have a caregiving employee, then you need to put together a plan in advance. Don’t wait until the employee is turning in their notice of resignation because they can’t handle the responsibilities. Instead, talk to the person regularly to see how things are going and see what can be done to find a solution that works for everyone.

Write out the plan and provide a copy to each person involved in the meeting. Written agreements will ensure that all parties share the same understanding, helping you to avoid miscommunication later on.

Here at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors, we know how important it is to support caregivers and aging adults. We specialize in real estate services for these people. Contact our team to learn more about the services that are available: (844) 782-9674

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Here in San Diego, we are fortunate to have access to the Leading Alzheimer’s Research Center at the University of California San Diego. We would like to highlight a conversation with Dr. James Brewer, M.D., Ph.D., the Director at the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center UCSD.

What is the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center UCSD?

Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center was one of the first Alzheimer’s Research Centers in the US, beginning back in the 1980’s. UCSD and the Mesa has the highest concentration of Neuroscientist in the Country. In addition to their 30+ employees, they collaborate with 30 centers across the country, which are following over 500 research subjects and coordinate their research efforts with the National Alzheimer’s Coordination Center in Seattle, WA. Their research is funded by the N.I.H. (National Institute of Health) grants and philanthropic donations.

Current Research Trends…

Biomarkers and P.E.T. (Positron Emission Tomography) are a couple of the technologies being used to measure the extent of the disease process within the brain. It is believed that the disease process begins as much as 18 years prior to being clinically diagnosed. Therefore, it is critical to have healthy adults, with mild cognitive complaints, sign-up to participate in the research being conducted at UCSD and across the country, so it can be determined if the medications being tested are slowing down the progress of this dreadful disease. If you are interested in participating in the research being conducted at UCSD, please contact the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at 858-822-4800 or visit their website at www.adrc.ucsd.edu.

Here at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors, our goal is to help you choose the right retirement living solutions to support your medical care. We know that there are a variety of options that you might consider, and we are here to support you in this process. Our real estate services can be a great way to manage the transition to a top-notch senior community: (844) 782-9674

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Have you maximized the use of technology to improve your lifestyle? Retirement is the time when you can enjoy the golden years of your life, and there are many tools that can be used to help around the house. If you like to keep up with the tech industry, then you will love some of these gadgets:

1. Voice Activated In-Home Assistant

Amazon’s Alexa system and other speakers are easy to control with the spoken word. If your hands are busy with your favorite hobby, then you can adjust the playlist by giving a verbal command. This in-home assistant can provide information, manage shopping lists, and even set a timer for your dinner that is in the oven.

2. Camera Security Systems

By leveraging your smartphone and strategically placing cameras, you can keep an eye on your home when you are away on vacation. A security camera can be positioned to show who is on the front porch when the doorbell rings. Or, set up cameras inside so that you can monitor the activities of the housekeeping crew during the day.

3. Floodlight Security

Another great option is a floodlight cam, which triggers the camera when the motion-sensor floodlight is activated. This system can be setup with facial recognition, a built-in alarm, night vision, and two-way audio. If you are notified on your app that the camera has been triggered, then you can zoom in and choose to sound the alarm or manually flash the lights to scare intruders away. Everything can be controlled on your smartphone from any location with a good internet connection.

4. Smart Watches

Do you love staying connected with your kids and grandkids, but you don’t like using your smartphone all the time? Invest in a smart watch which will allow you to manage phone calls, text messages, and other apps on your wrist.

5. Medication Dispenser

It is common for people of all ages to take medication for various health conditions, such as acid reducers, blood pressure management, and more. If you find it a hassle to remember the dosages, then consider the benefits of a medication management tool. Program the tool once, then load the machine with your medicine. The machine is coded to deliver the pills at the right time, giving you a quick reminder.

Here at Greenwald &Gerke Realtors, we specialize in real estate services for retired adults. Contact us today if you want to buy a home that will help you maximize the use of technology in your life: (844) 782-9674